UCD 0

Cork Constitution 24

Ulster Bank Bateman Cup

A brace of first-half tries from second-row Brian Hayes propelled holders Cork Constitution to victory over UCD in Saturday’s Bateman Cup semi-final in Belfield.

Fresh from their back-to-back league wins against Terenure College and Old Belvedere, Con made a dream start when a neat offload from out-half Darragh Lyons provided the platform for the impressive Hayes to break over for a 5th-minute try.

Dynamic full-back Tomás Quinlan converted as the visitors gained a foothold.

Con doubled their advantage five minutes later.

Hayes charged down an attempted clearance by the students before crossing the whitewash for a second time.

Quinlan again added the extras for Con to enjoy a 14-0 advantage at the interval.

Con suffered a set-back six minutes after the restart when centre Niall Kenneally was sent to the sin-bin, but in his absence, Quinlan extended their advantage from a 54th-minute penalty.

UCD tried desperately to manufacture a score but their work was undone when skipper James Ryan claimed Con’s third try on the hour mark.

Stephen Murphy almost secured a consolation try for the hosts 11 minutes from time, but was repelled by an outstanding Con defence.

The other semi-final was a much tighter affair with Galwegians edging out Ballynahinch 35-31 in a thrilling affair at Crowley Park.

UCD:

T Fletcher; H Keenan, S Murphy, C Doherty, J Murray; L Bourke, J Glynn; G Frayne, S McNulty, L Hyland; B Cawley, E MacMahon; K McKenna, M McGroarty, S Grannell.

Replacements:

M Moynihan, R Byrne, M Cawley, N McEvoy, C McQuaid, S O’Meara, J O’Brien.

CORK CONSTITUTION:

T Quinlan; J White, L O’Connell, N Kenneally, R Jermyn; D Lyons, Daniel Walsh; G Duffy, M Abbott, G Sweeney; C Kindregan, B Hayes; L Cahill, Dan Walsh, J Ryan.

Replacements:

J McHenry. G Roche, C O’Flaherty, S Dwyer, A Dorgan, JJ O’Neill, M Carey.

Referee:

S Douglas (IRFU).